STEM OPT Aerospace Jobs
Aerospace engineering and related STEM roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization after graduation. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree must align with an approved CIP code in a qualifying STEM field such as aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Propulsion Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at University of Virginia is seeking a qualified candidate for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position.
Research in the laboratory focuses on high-performance computing (HPC) methods in CFD, advanced algorithm development, data assimilation and scientific machine learning. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of advanced numerical algorithms for large-scale CFD modeling and simulations, including scalable solvers, domain decomposition methods, and data-driven and physics-driven learning techniques.
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work as an algorithm developer within the CFD and Propulsion Laboratory and will be responsible for the development, implementation, and analysis of efficient numerical methods for next-generation CFD applications on HPC platforms.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
By the start date, applicants must have earned a PhD in Mathematics or Statistics or other related field, and be within 5 years post-PhD. Candidates should demonstrate research experience in a few of the following areas:
- CFD methods, numerical methods and analysis, stability analysis
- Scalable solvers, and domain decomposition methods
- C++ programming, parallel programming
- Stochastic partial differential equations (PDEs), stochastic processes and analysis
- Model reduction, surrogate model development
- Uncertainty quantification
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates with additional expertise in:
- AI/ML
- Supercomputing
- Peer-reviewed publications in computational mathematics and/or computational/numerical methods
SALARY
The anticipated hiring base salary is $53,000.
Estimated salary range is $47,500 - $90,000, commensurate with experience.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Apply online through the UVA Job Board and search for position number R0083690.
Applicants should upload:
- A cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Contact information for three professional references
Please note that multiple documents may be uploaded in the application portal.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Review of applications will begin on June 2, 2026; however, the position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.
This is a one-year appointment. Renewal is contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance.
Questions regarding this position should be directed to Professor Xinfeng Gao at gao@virginia.edu.
For questions about the application process, please contact Richard Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter, at rkh6j@virginia.edu.
For more information on the benefits available to Research Associate at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
INTRODUCTION
The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Propulsion Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at University of Virginia is seeking a qualified candidate for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position.
Research in the laboratory focuses on high-performance computing (HPC) methods in CFD, advanced algorithm development, data assimilation and scientific machine learning. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of advanced numerical algorithms for large-scale CFD modeling and simulations, including scalable solvers, domain decomposition methods, and data-driven and physics-driven learning techniques.
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work as an algorithm developer within the CFD and Propulsion Laboratory and will be responsible for the development, implementation, and analysis of efficient numerical methods for next-generation CFD applications on HPC platforms.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
By the start date, applicants must have earned a PhD in Mathematics or Statistics or other related field, and be within 5 years post-PhD. Candidates should demonstrate research experience in a few of the following areas:
- CFD methods, numerical methods and analysis, stability analysis
- Scalable solvers, and domain decomposition methods
- C++ programming, parallel programming
- Stochastic partial differential equations (PDEs), stochastic processes and analysis
- Model reduction, surrogate model development
- Uncertainty quantification
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates with additional expertise in:
- AI/ML
- Supercomputing
- Peer-reviewed publications in computational mathematics and/or computational/numerical methods
SALARY
The anticipated hiring base salary is $53,000.
Estimated salary range is $47,500 - $90,000, commensurate with experience.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Apply online through the UVA Job Board and search for position number R0083690.
Applicants should upload:
- A cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Contact information for three professional references
Please note that multiple documents may be uploaded in the application portal.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Review of applications will begin on June 2, 2026; however, the position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.
This is a one-year appointment. Renewal is contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance.
Questions regarding this position should be directed to Professor Xinfeng Gao at gao@virginia.edu.
For questions about the application process, please contact Richard Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter, at rkh6j@virginia.edu.
For more information on the benefits available to Research Associate at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Aerospace
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering, and astronautical engineering all appear on the list, but dual-major or interdisciplinary degrees sometimes require DSO confirmation before your extension is filed.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Any employer hiring you on STEM OPT must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Ask the recruiter for the company's E-Verify Client ID or search the E-Verify employer search tool directly to confirm current enrollment status before signing.
Use O*NET to match your degree to aerospace job codes
Aerospace roles span multiple Standard Occupational Classification codes. Pull the O*NET occupation profile for your target title to confirm the degree field requirement aligns with your CIP code, which strengthens your I-983 training plan when your DSO files the extension.
Build your I-983 training plan around measurable engineering goals
Aerospace employers often work on long-cycle projects like propulsion systems or avionics platforms. Structure your I-983 learning objectives around specific technical competencies tied to those projects so the connection between your STEM degree and your job duties is explicit and defensible.
Target contractors through DOL LCA disclosure data on Migrate Mate
Defense and aerospace contractors file Labor Condition Applications for STEM roles every year. Search Migrate Mate to surface which aerospace employers have active LCA filings, so you're applying to companies that have already demonstrated willingness to hire and sponsor international STEM workers.
Start your extension paperwork 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS requires the STEM OPT extension application to be filed before your initial OPT EAD expires. File at least 90 days out to preserve cap-gap protection if an H-1B visa petition is filed on your behalf before October 1 of the following fiscal year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my aerospace engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering, and astronautical engineering degrees all appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and qualify for the 24-month extension. If your degree has a different title, your DSO can confirm whether its CIP code is on the approved list. Related fields like mechanical engineering and electrical engineering also qualify when the role involves aerospace applications.
What E-Verify requirement applies to aerospace employers hiring STEM OPT students?
Any employer hiring you under the STEM OPT extension must be enrolled in E-Verify at the location where you'll be working. Enrollment must be current and active, not lapsed. You can confirm this by requesting the employer's E-Verify Client ID directly or by using the E-Verify employer search tool before you accept an offer.
How does the I-983 training plan work for aerospace roles?
Your employer and DSO complete Form I-983 together, documenting how your aerospace job duties connect to your STEM degree. For aerospace roles, this typically involves specifying engineering competencies like systems design, propulsion analysis, or avionics integration. The employer must also conduct a formal performance evaluation at the midpoint and end of your STEM OPT period.
How do I find aerospace employers who are already set up to hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lets you filter aerospace job listings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active DOL Labor Condition Application filings, so you're not spending time on companies that haven't sponsored international STEM workers before. Focusing on employers with existing LCA history significantly shortens the path from application to offer.
What happens to my work authorization if my aerospace employer files an H-1B petition on my behalf?
If your employer files a timely H-1B petition before April 1 of your final STEM OPT year and it's selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. USCIS recognizes this bridge period, so you don't need to stop working while the H-1B petition is pending adjudication.